When Stella told me how much involvement is required to put together these events, I nearly pulled out again.
What working parent has time for the meetings, canvassing parents to raise money, sourcing materials, suppliers? I’m sure our wedding didn’t take a third of the work needed to put together this school fair.
One look at Megan talking excitedly about the fair, and I couldn’t change my mind. Stella has always been the one getting involved with school events. I supported her and always attended, but I was never part of the organization.
“So this is the famous Harrison Davis.”
I raise my eyes from the screen. “I’m sorry. I don’t think we’ve met.”
The man seems to take my acknowledgment of his presence as permission to enter the office and sits on one of the two chairs in front of my desk, crossing one leg over the other and sitting back all too comfortably.
He takes his time scanning his surroundings before circling back to me. “I’m Bradley Jones,” he says in a way that suggests he expects me to recognize him. “As in, Smith, Brown, and Jones.”
Thank god for my well-practiced poker face because I certainly don’t want to give Mr. Smith, Brown,and Jonesthe indication that I’m in any way impressed by his name.
Because I’m not. Quite the opposite. It took me a whole three days on the job to hear rumors about my boss, Mr. Jones’s nephew, who seems to have aspirations well beyond his skills or capabilities.
“How may I assist you, Mr. Jones?” I ask.
He preens. “Mr. Davis. Can I call you Harrison?”
I don’t reply, so he continues, “I’ve worked here for a while and have overseen some of the biggest cases the firm has handled. I came to see you personally to offer my support with anything you might require. I know all the junior attorneys and how to get the best from the paralegals. You know, they can be a law unto themselves.” He laughs and then stops when I don’t join him. “Anyway, it can be challenging being the new person, so I wanted to welcome you to our family.”
I stare at him for longer than I want to, enjoying how he squirms under my gaze.
“Thank you for the kind offer, Mr. Jones. Now, if you’ll excuse me, I have something to finish before the end of the day.”
He looks at the clock on the wall. “You’re leaving at six?”
This guy is wasting my time and making me late, but if he thinks I’m going to take his bait, then he hasn’t met someone with my level of experience.
I remain silent.
He leans forward, showing me his pearly white teeth. “Just a little advice, and this one’s on me since you’re new, you might want to show that you’re putting the hours in. The managing partners like when their attorneys show commitment.”
I give him a fake smile. Bless his inexperienced, entitled, greasy ass. If I unleashed on him, he’d shit his pants. As it is, I’ll give him the courtesy of walking out unscathed. Since he’s new to me and all.
“Good to know, Mr. Jones. Now, if you’ll excuse me, your uncle pays me good money to make sure I get this done.” I point at the laptop. It’s almost six, and I know I can read this in peace at home later with a cold beer. I close out all the windows on my laptop and shut it down.
At some point, my visitor leaves. I hear a whispered exchange outside the office but can’t tell what it’s about. A moment later, my secretary, John, comes into the office just as I’m putting my laptop away.
“He’s been trying to catch you since your first day here. I’m sorry he got through today. I was helping another assistant with some printing and left my desk for a moment.”
“Don’t worry about it, John. I appreciate you running interference.” He turns to leave. “Hey, what was the hushed conversation about when he left?”
John rolls his eyes. “That was him asking me out again. The guy doesn’t know when to quit.”
I don’t like the sound of that at all. As soon as I laid eyes on Bradley’s greased-up hair combed back like a gangster and his ill-fitting but expensive suit, I could tell he wasn’t someone I wanted to know. But I’ll be damned if I lose John because of an entitled prick.
“John, I need you to tell me if he’s crossing a line. Bradley might think he’s in his uncle’s pocket and can do no harm, but he’s the only one living that particular fantasy. You hear me?”
I hope he can tell the true meaning behind my words.
“Gotcha, boss. Don’t worry. I eat assholes like that for breakfast. He might think he’s stronger and more powerful, but as you said, he’s the only one living that particular fantasy.” John chuckles and goes back to his desk outside the office.
I still miss my old assistant, but John is a damned excellent replacement, and since she retired after I left my old job, I don’t feel too bad.
My phone dings just as I’m getting into the car.
